I was reading an article at Counterpunch explaining why the anti-war movement is so weak. The author, Todd Chretien, was upset that so few people are protesting and placed blame on the leadership of anti-war groups. But Chretien is missing the point. Protests are not an effective way to stop wars. Even if 10 million people marched on Washington demanding an end to the Iraq War, the war would continue. There are two reasons why protests aren't going to stop the Iraq War.
Reason 1: Bush Doesn't Care About Protesters
George W. Bush does not care what the American people think. In the 2006 congressional elections, voters gave the Democrats control of Congress to stop the war. Bush responded by sending more troops to Iraq.
Bush does what he wants. If a majority of people approve of what he's doing, he says he's doing the will of the American people. If a majority of people disapprove, he says he's a strong leader who's not governed by polls. If you think Bush is going to leave Iraq because lots of people show up to anti-war demonstrations, you haven't paid much attention to the Bush presidency.
Reason 2: People Don't Fear Peaceful Protests
Matt Taibbi said it better than I can. Mainstream America does not fear peaceful protests. The media either dismisses or ignores them, and political leaders ignore them, knowing the protesters will go home after demonstrating. To get people's attention, protesters have to do more violent things like riot, break store windows, take over public buildings, and block roads. But when you do things like that, you give the police an excuse to crack down and arrest people. It's a no-win situation for protesters. Protest peacefully and people ignore you. Protest more violently and people hate you, which allows the war to go on.
How to Stop the War
There are two ways to end the Iraq war. First, the president can pull the troops out of Iraq. Second, Congress can cut off funding for the war. Because Bush will not withdraw, option 1 is not an option until January 2009. If you want the war to end before 2009, there is only one option. Congress must cut off funding.
What can the anti-war movement do to get Congress to cut off funding? Put pressure on them. Organize letter writing campaigns. March on each congressional member's local office and demand an end to the war. March on the Capitol on a weekday when Congress is working. These activities are going to do more to end the war than marching on Washington on a Saturday when no one who can do anything to end the war is there. Hell, just writing a letter every day to your representative and senators would do more than a Saturday march on Washington.
